[Vintage-Audio] High Efficiency Vs Low Efficiency

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hello All,

Over the decades as I have wandered through the wonderous waves of sound I 
have often heard different speaker systems referred to as being "high 
efficiency" or "low efficiency". Noting that being "low" when it came to 
efficiency was not necessarily a bad thing!

As I recall, a speaker that was "high efficiency" was efficient with a very 
low amount of RMS power. Whereas one that was "low efficiency" was not 
efficient unless it was driven with a lot more RMS power. I have heard all 
sorts of pros and cons as to which type of system was better. What I would 
like to know is if either one is superior to the other and if so, why?

Additionally, what systems were considered to be "high efficiency" and which 
ones were considered to be "low efficiency"?

I think my favorite response one audio buff gave when he was engaged in a 
heated discussion about "who's" audio equipment was superior was: "Obviously 
somebody dropped your stylus too hard on your aluminum turntable platter and 
warped more then the stylus! If you want to know who makes the best 
equipment, just ask an owner. Of course his is the best, that's why he 
bought it!


Duane Fischer, W8DBF/WPE8CXO
dfischer at usol.com
HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
http://www.w9wze.net
HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
hhrp.w9wze.net